Reborn as an Extra Chapter 736: Forgotten World, Cyria-229. Part-4

Upon hearing Kai’s words, Link cast a glance at his status panel. He took a deep breath, fully realizing his considerable increase in strength.

With this much HP, and with the synergistic effect of so many recovery and regeneration skills, I refuse to believe Rio can still defeat me… Unless that guy resorts to those insidious soul-based skills that bypass physical defenses, I actually stand a decent chance of fighting him head-on…

Since reaching rank S, Link’s defensive capabilities underwent a significant evolution. He was now robust enough to endure most assaults without even flinching!

While he lacked Rio’s peculiar and extensive skill arsenal, Link possessed his own formidable set of abilities.

Sigh… the only drawback is that mastering Father’s techniques proves exceptionally challenging. Despite him teaching me both combat arts, I still haven’t grasped them properly…

As Ashtel’s sole son, it was only natural that Ashtel would impart both the Sage and Fool arts to him. However, these techniques didn’t seem to resonate well with Link, preventing him from truly mastering them until this point.

Perhaps after reaching rank SS, I might be able to combine them, creating a new technique that aligns with my own skillset…

Shaking his head with a touch of frustration, Link turned to Kai and inquired,

"By the way, do you possess any abilities or techniques that enhance defense against soul-type attacks?"

Kai’s eyes narrowed at the question, and a grin spread across his face.

"Hoho, so you’ve got your sights set on that stone-statue-like fellow? Regrettably, I don’t have any defensive abilities focused on the soul. Had I possessed such skills, I would have gladly shared them with you…"

Noticing Link becoming engrossed in his training once more, Riya lightly nudged him.

"Idiot, we’re in the midst of a crisis, and you’re still fixated on surpassing Rio. Snap out of your training-obsessed world!"

It was only when Riya pointed it out that Link remembered their predicament: stranded on an unknown planet, and certainly not the time for rivalries with Rio.

"Right, let’s proceed to the location Lia’s intuition is pointing us towards. We can’t afford to waste any more time here…"

Link nodded and took the lead, with the others following closely behind, conserving energy and maintaining a low profile. Conceivably, the dangers lurking on this uncharted world were unknown, making it prudent for a robust tank like Link to forge ahead while the two girls remained safely in the rear.

"This planet is truly peculiar… The very strings of destiny for this entire world are in disarray, as if something has drained all the energy from them…"

"But from what I understand, draining the destiny strings of an entire planet should be an impossible feat…"

"Even I, with my talent for manipulating the strings of destiny, cannot achieve something of this magnitude, even on a much smaller scale…"

Gazing upon the desolate desert landscape below, Lia couldn’t suppress a growing sense of unease.

"I have a really bad feeling about this…"

Heeding Lia’s warning, the group maintained a discreet presence, taking care to mask Riya’s aura to prevent further monster tides from the miasma. They pressed onward.

Across the hundreds of kilometers the group traversed in the following thirty minutes, they did not encounter a single area with trees or any semblance of life. It was an unending expanse of barren wasteland, permeated by death and decay.

Sandstorms swept across the land, and the desiccated bones of countless creatures lay scattered amidst the reddish-orange desert sands. Were it not for the fact that everyone in the group was an S-ranker, the intense sunlight scorching the planet would have caused them all to faint.

Five suns blazed in the sky from all directions, meaning this planet knew no night; it was perpetually stuck in an unending 'eternal day'! The surface temperature soared above 100 degrees Celsius consistently!

After three hours of continuous travel, the group had crossed a distance equivalent to nearly two continents and discovered the absolute absence of any seas or water sources on the planet’s surface. Only volcanoes, molten lava, and utter desolation stretched before them, with one singular exception.

Defying all expectations and the fundamental laws of physics, a small settlement stood precariously atop ruins and shattered ancient architecture. Nestled within a secluded valley, shielded by towering hills on all sides, was a community of half-orcs who appeared to be living in peace, seemingly unfazed by the oppressive heat and unending desolation surrounding them.

Half-orc children were observed frolicking in the settlement’s thoroughfares; venerable orcs could be seen engaged in conversation and card games beneath the makeshift shade of crudely constructed tents.